April 19 Proclaimed Heart of Blue Day In Minnesota

Governor Dayton Recognizes Blue Cross Volunteer Contributions

EAGAN, Minn., April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Mark Dayton has declared April 19 as Heart of Blue Day in Minnesota in honor of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota's Heart of Blue employee volunteer program. The Governor signed the proclamation in recognition of the 10th year of Heart of Blue, which was launched in 2003 to support and encourage employee involvement in the community. The proclamation was revealed today at an annual Blue Cross volunteer recognition event.

Since Heart of Blue's launch, Blue Cross employees have contributed more than 130,000 hours of volunteer time — valued at more than $2.5 million according to the Independent Sector — to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Minnesota and beyond. Additionally, Blue Cross has contributed more than $190,000 to hundreds of nonprofit organizations through Dollars for Doers, a program that recognizes Blue Cross employees who contribute time and talent to the community.

"We're proud of our 79-year heritage of community involvement to make a healthy difference in peoples' lives," said Ken Burdick, president and CEO. "Governor Dayton's proclamation is an important reminder that our involvement in the community is noticed and valued."

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today as a health company: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. Blue Cross is a not-for-profit, taxable organization. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Go to bluecrossmn.com to learn more about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota